Staff writer
Peabody public works employee Todd Woodruff walked city council members through the process of getting the community ready for summer at council meeting Monday night.
He and fellow employees Ronnie Harms and Harold Brooks, Jr. have removed winterization safeguards in park restrooms, water fountains, and at Peabody Municipal Pool.
“We flushed the whole water system at the city park and water fountains at the east ball field and Santa Fe Park to ensure that water is drinkable and reached disinfection levels recommended by KDHE,” he said. “Kids are already starting to practice at the ball diamonds so the fountains need to be working and safe.”
Woodruff said the public works crew also has been working on getting the pool ready to open by the end of May.
“And we attended a mosquito population control seminar in Salina where we received information on how to control mosquitoes at various stages — breeding mosquitoes, pre-hatch, and fogging techniques for adult mosquitoes.”
Woodruff said the seminar also touched on the Zika virus and mosquitoes that spread it.
“They told us that at this time there is no special spray or repellent for the mosquitoes that carry the virus,” he said. “But they did say that they [the mosquitoes] are daytime biters rather than evening and nighttime biters.”
City clerk Stephanie Lago said the city would again offer free mosquito repellant briquets for residents to use in areas of standing water. Public works superintendent Harms reported that mosquito spray for the summer season will cost $3,335. Council members approved the purchase.
Woodruff reported recent high winds have brought down more tree limbs at the city park.
“We’ve picked up quite a few, but the mowing season is coming up and there are still limbs on the ground,” he said.
It was noted that Peabody-Burns High School Principal Ken Parry plans on having students help with limb pick-up on April 29, Marion County-Wide Community Service Day.
In other business:
- Preston Hodges of Peabody Fourth Fest committee was present to report on the 2016 annual July 4 celebration. Hodges, Brian McDowell, and Erik Barnes will be hired by the city as certified pyrotechnic crew for that day.
- Council members were told that Mackenzie Young will be taking life saving at McPherson this month and will be certified at the end of the class. Young will be pool manager upon becoming certified.